No Higher Stature Than Childhood

Wednesday, 9 October, 2013 Quotations

Reflection: Matthew 18:4; 1 Corinthians 13:11

To me was shown no higher stature than childhood. Not, of course, that we should remain children in understanding; not that when we have become men, we should refuse to put away childish things; but that there should remain much of the child-character in us to the end.

Julian of Norwich (1342 – 1416)

The Eagle Nebula from Kitt Peak. From afar, the whole thing looks like an Eagle. A closer look at the Eagle Nebula, however, shows the bright region is actually a window into the center of a larger dark shell of dust. Through this window, a brightly-lit workshop appears where a whole open cluster of stars is being formed. In this cavity tall pillars and round globules of dark dust and cold molecular gas remain where stars are still forming. Already visible are several young bright blue stars whose light and winds are burning away and pushing back the remaining filaments and walls of gas and dust. The Eagle emission nebula, tagged M16, lies about 6500 light years away, spans about 20 light-years, and is visible with binoculars toward the constellation of the Serpent (Serpens). This picture combines three specific emitted colours and was taken with the 0.9-meter telescope on Kitt Peak, Arizona, USA. Image Credit: T. A. Rector & B. A. Wolpa, NOAO, AURA.

The national flag of Greece is based on nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white. There is a blue canton in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolises Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the established religion of the Greek people of Greece and Cyprus. It was officially adopted by the First National Assembly at Epidaurus on 13 January 1822. According to popular tradition, the nine stripes represent the nine syllables of the phrase "Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος" ("Freedom or Death"), the five blue stripes for the syllables "Έλευθερία" and the four white stripes "ή Θάνατος". The nine stripes are also said to represent the letters of the word "freedom" (Greek: ελευθερία). There is also a different theory, that the nine stripes symbolise the nine Muses, the goddesses of art and civilisation (nine has traditionally been one of the numbers of reference for the Greeks).

Cuba Travel Warning Tuesday, 19 September, 2017
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of travel to Cuba while Hurricane Irma recovery efforts are underway. Major roads are now open in Havana and power and water service has been restored in most of the city, but some parts of the country may be without power and running […]
Haiti Travel Warning Wednesday, 13 September, 2017
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of traveling to Haiti due to its current security environment and lack of adequate medical facilities and response. U.S. citizens are informed that the U.S. Embassy has resumed normal operations following Hurricane Irma. The authorized departure of non-emergency employees was lifted September 12, […]
Kenya Travel Warning Friday, 8 September, 2017
The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens to avoid travel to the border area between Somalia and Kenya because of threats by the terrorist group al-Shabaab.U.S. citizens should also be aware of potential terrorist threats and the high risk of crime throughout the country. This replaces the Travel Warning dated January 13, 2017. For your […]
Ethiopia Travel Warning Saturday, 26 August, 2017
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Ethiopia due to the potential for civil unrest and arbitrary detention.There continue to be reports of unrest, particularly in the Gondar region and Bahir Dar in Amhara State, and parts of Oromia State. This replaces the Travel Warning of June 13, 2017.The […]
Bangladesh Travel Warning Thursday, 24 August, 2017
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of continuing threats from terrorist groups in Bangladesh and to consider the risks of travel to and throughout the country. The Department is updating this travel warning to reflect the change in the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka’s status to “partially accompanied,” effective August 24, 2017, allowing all spouses/partners […]

Guadeloupe Wednesday, 20 September, 2017
Summary: Hurricanes Irma and Maria passed through north eastern parts of the Caribbean on 6 and 19 September respectively, causing some damage to the island. If you require assistance please call “cellule de crise” or crisis centre is +33 (0) 1 82 71 03 37. To contact the Prefecture in Guadeloupe, call +590 5 90 […]
GOV.UK
Martinique Wednesday, 20 September, 2017
Summary - Hurricanes Irma and Maria passed through north eastern parts of the Caribbean on 6 and 19 September respectively, causing some damage to the island. If you require assistance you can call “cellule de crise” or crisis centre on +33 (0) 1 82 71 03 37.
GOV.UK
Mexico Wednesday, 20 September, 2017
Summary and Natural Disasters - On Tuesday 19 September 2017 there was an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 near Puebla, Mexico – approx 140km south east of Mexico City; damage has been severe; the Mexican Government has announced three days of national mourning; Mexico City airport was closed temporarily, but has now reopened; please check with […]
GOV.UK
Dominica Wednesday, 20 September, 2017
Latest update: Summary - the FCO is currently advising against all but essential travel to Dominica; Hurricane Maria passed over Dominica on 19 September 2017; initial reports indicate widespread damage to buildings, infrastructure and communications; the airport is closed; if you're in Dominica, you should exercise caution and follow the advice of the local authorities.
GOV.UK
Cuba Wednesday, 20 September, 2017
Summary – Hurricane Maria is forecast to bring hazardous sea and weather conditions to eastern Cuba from around 21 September 2017; you should follow the advice of the local authorities and your tour operator.
GOV.UK

Alert - Yellow Fever in Brazil Wednesday, 20 September, 2017
The Brazilian Ministry of Health has reported an ongoing outbreak of yellow fever. In response to this outbreak, health authorities have recently expanded the list of areas in which yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travelers.
Alert - Flooding in South Asia Friday, 15 September, 2017
Since the monsoon season began in August 2017, widespread flooding in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal has affected more than 40 million people.
Alert - Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean Wednesday, 13 September, 2017
Beginning on September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma crossed the Caribbean and caused severe damage in a number of countries and territories, including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Turks and Caicos, and the US Virgin Islands.

This exceptional painting on wood comes from the monastery of Bawit in Middle Egypt. Dated to the 8th century, it represents Christ (easily recognisable by his halo with a cross) and Abbot Mena, the superior of the monastery at the time. The two figures are depicted in a frontal pose against a landscape. A few traces of vegetation can still be seen at their feet. The background consists of hills with a sunset sky, from which the halos of the figures seem to be rising. Christ, to the right, is slightly taller than the figure on the left. His halo has a crucifer, and the inscription "Savior" is written near him. Christ has a short beard and wide, lined eyes. He wears a tunic and a scarf, and in his left hand holds a Book of the Gospels, richly adorned with pearls and gems and fitted with metal clasps on the side. In a sign of introduction and as a protective gesture, his right hand is placed on the left shoulder of the father superior of the monastery. He can be identified by the inscription placed to the left of his halo, "Apa Mena superior," repeated directly below, and by the scroll in his left hand. This scroll may contain the rule of the monastic institution. Mena has a gray beard and is wearing a tunic and a scarf. He makes a sign of the blessing with his right hand. The French archaeologist Jean Clédat discovered this monastery in 1900 while he was exploring and excavating in the region. The overall work is extremely elegant and serene, and is the oldest-known Coptic icon. It is one of the masterpieces of the Coptic section in the Department of Egyptian Antiquities. The wood painting is presently at the Musee de Louvre, Paris.

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